Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Abuja was canceled after a passenger's disruptive actions involving luggage. The incident led to a confrontation with other passengers and significant delays. The passenger faces prosecution under Nigerian law for holding up the aircraft’s movement, causing the airline financial losses and operational challenges.
An Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Abuja was canceled due to a passenger's disruptive behavior, leaving 89 passengers stranded. The incident occurred on December 8, 2024, when the passenger blocked the aisle of the aircraft after discovering that her checked luggage, which exceeded weight limits, was not loaded. The airline had informed passengers about the possibility of some luggage being delayed due to weight restrictions during check-in, and passengers with heavier bags had signed indemnity forms agreeing to the conditions.
Despite understanding these terms, the passenger became combative when her bag was not among the loaded items. She refused to board the flight and demanded her luggage be loaded immediately. The situation escalated when, after being asked to deboard, the passenger re-entered the aircraft and blocked the aisle. Efforts by Ibom Air staff and FAAN security to resolve the issue failed, leading to the cancellation of the flight as the airspace closed for the day due to sunset.
The disruption caused significant financial losses for Ibom Air, which had to provide accommodation and transportation for the stranded passengers. The passenger now faces prosecution for her actions, as holding up an aircraft's movement can be classified as a terrorist act under Nigerian law. The airline's operations were also severely impacted by the delay.
